Basing Question

Good afternoon everyone.
I have noticed that many photos of foot troops on bases have a space between the front rank and the front edge of base. Is there a reason for this or is it just aesthetic? I have been basing my foot troops so that they fill up the whole base and I'm wondering if this is "wrong". Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.

Take care,
Skip

I am not exactly sure what you mean Skip. I uploaded a picture of my Sung army before I flocked the bases. Is that what you mean? If the answer is yes then I base in from the edge of the based to protect the figures and also make it easier to have base to base contact with friendly and enemy units (so that spears, pikes, firearms don't overlap the edges.)  

Good morning Gaius
Thank you for the quick reply.  I am including a couple of photos to hopefully clarify my question.  One is an image I pulled off the web and the other is a photo of my romans.  As you can see I base my romans so that the cover the entire area from the back to the front of the base.  I'm just wondering if there is a particular reason why I see so many based figures that look like the other image where there is a rank space near the front of the base.  I hope that is clearer.  Thank you in advance.

it's just personal preference - although protecting the figures and preventing them interlocking with opponents is a part of it.

for instance my pikes

Agema - FP All - 02 by Zippee Jerred, on Flickr

have a deal of front space

Asiatic rabble have less

Asiatic Levy - FP All - 00 by Zippee Jerred, on Flickr

much of my Arab warband have little either

Arab Warriors - FP Group B - 02 by Zippee Jerred, on Flickr

my imitation legions have little extra

Imitation Legio - FP All - 01 by Zippee Jerred, on Flickr

my Sassanian levy are in clumps

Sassanid - FP All - 02 by Zippee Jerred, on Flickr

it all adds to the flavour and dynamic of the basing

Zippee's are excellent examples of the dioramic effect of Impetus bases. A combination of figures and quality basing. I often find that people put too few figures on their bases to represent units. It doesn't look as good as it could. In your case Skip you are the one example I have come across where I think you might have a few too many figures on your bases.

Thank you for the suggestions and comments everyone. I am going to rethink how may minis I'm putting on my bases and how many ranks I'm going to use. I'll post some photos when I'm done. Thanks again!

Take care,
Skip